Mount Lycabettus (), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos (, ), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greece, Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill. The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular, funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki (The railway station is at Aristippou street). At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

Mythical and legendary stories

Lycabettus appears in various legends. Popular stories suggest it was once the refuge of wolves (lycos in Greek), which is possibly the origin of its name (means "the one [the hill] that is walked by wolves"). Another etymology suggests a Pelasgian, pre-Mycenean, origin (''Lucabetu=mastoid hill''). Mythologically, Lycabettus is credited to Athena, who created it when she dropped a limestone mountain she had been carrying from the Pallene (Chalcidice), Pallene peninsula for the construction of the Acropolis of Athens, Acropolis after the box holding Erichthonius of Athens, Erichthonius was opened.

Theatre

The hill has a large open-air amphitheatre near the top, which has housed many Greek and international concerts. In 2008 it closed due to safety concerns. By 2022 the city of Athens suggested renovating and reopening the theatre. After being closed for 15 years, the theatre was reopened in September of 2023. Among the artists who have performed at the Lycabettus theatre are Ray Charles, Joan Baez, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Leonard Cohen, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin (musician), John Mc Laughlin, Gary Moore, Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, Nick Cave, Bjork, Dead Can Dance, Pet Shop Boys, Deep Purple, UB40, Placebo (band), Placebo, Morrissey, Radiohead, Moby, Massive Attack, Faith No More, Faithless, Whitesnake, Tracy Chapman, Nightwish, Slipknot (band), Slipknot, Patti Smith, Vanessa Mae, Bryan Ferry, Tito Puente, Buena Vista Social Club, Orishas (band), Orishas, The Prodigy, Iron Maiden, Nazareth (band), Nazareth, Blackmore's Night, Scorpions (band), Scorpions, Mathame, Adriatique, Rotting Christ, Echonomist, Nick Jojo and Human Rias.

Gallery

File:Mount Lycabettus.jpg File:Blick vom Lykavittos auf Athen - View from Lykavittos Hill over Athens.jpg, View from Lykavittos Hill over Athens File:The_Acropolis_of_Athens_at_Night.jpg, View of the Acropolis at night File:Athens Francis Bedford 1862.jpg, View from the Acropolis by Francis Bedford, 1862 File:Lykavittos1880.png, Lycabettus -80, without St. George's Chapel and before the modern planting of pine trees File:Chapel of Saint George.jpg, Saint George's chapel on top File:Attica 06-13 Athens 46 View from Lycabettus.jpg, Theatre of Lycabettus File:Athens view2007.jpg, View of Athens

References

* Boguslawski, Alexander (2000).
Lykavittos Hill
." Retrieved August 30, 2005.

External links

Lycabettus Hill Website
* *High-resolution 360° Panorama o
Mount Lycabettus , Art Atlas
Hills of Athens, Lycabettus Outdoor theatres Tourist attractions in Athens Neighbourhoods in Athens Pelasgian words {{Athens-geo-stub

Mythical and legendary stories

Theatre

Gallery

See also

References

External links